In recent weeks, the debate over the safety of acetaminophen—better known by its brand name Tylenol—during pregnancy has erupted into a national controversy. This follows President Donald Trump’s public statements warning pregnant women against taking the common painkiller, claiming it is linked to an "autism epidemic." Trump, alongside Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced they had found a connection between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder, urging expectant mothers to "fight like hell not to take it."
The president’s remarks, delivered with characteristic force, have sparked a wave of criticism and concern from medical professionals, scientists, and parents alike. According to The Independent, several Republican senators who are also medical doctors have publicly pushed back against Trump’s claims, emphasizing that decisions about medication use in pregnancy should be made between a patient and their healthcare provider, not dictated by political leaders or public figures.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), an orthopedic surgeon, told The Independent, "I'm a doctor, and I think the best decisions were made between the doctor and his or her patients and let the healthcare providers talk to their patients. That’s who they ought to talk to for advice." Barrasso’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among medical professionals that individualized care, guided by evidence and expertise, must remain the standard—especially in the emotionally charged realm of pregnancy and child health.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a gastroenterologist who chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, also weighed in with a measured response. "I don't want mothers to sit around and blame themselves that if they took Tylenol and they have an autistic child, that they are to blame," Cassidy told The Independent. He further reassured parents by citing a massive Swedish study published in 2024, which tracked 2.5 million children and found that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was "not associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in sibling control analysis."
Despite the president’s insistence that acetaminophen plays a "very big factor" in the development of autism, leading medical organizations and regulatory bodies have stood firm in their guidance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to list acetaminophen as one of the only safe over-the-counter medications for treating fever during pregnancy. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), an obstetrician and gynecologist, pointed to official White House documents that emphasize the potential risks of long-term, chronic use of acetaminophen, rather than one-time or occasional use. "The emphasis is on the long term, chronic use of it, as opposed to one-time use," Marshall told The Independent. He added that he was actively reviewing the studies referenced by the administration, reflecting the ongoing and careful scrutiny within the medical community.
Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), an ophthalmologist known for his skepticism of public health authorities, appeared more open to the president’s cautionary stance. Paul cited a review conducted by professors from Harvard University, UCLA, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Mount Sinai, which examined 46 previous studies and suggested a possible increased risk of autism and ADHD with acetaminophen use during pregnancy. However, the researchers themselves recommended "judicious acetaminophen use—lowest effective dose, shortest duration—under medical guidance, tailored to individual risk-benefit assessments, rather than a broad limitation."
Outside the halls of Congress, medical experts and advocates have voiced strong concerns over the potential impact of Trump’s statements. According to HELLO!, Associate Professor Vinay Rane, an Australian doctor and lawyer with extensive experience in women’s health, explained, "The American President recently raised the idea of a link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism. These sorts of concerns are not new. For more than a decade researchers have examined whether paracetamol, also known as Tylenol, could be associated with conditions such as autism or ADHD when used in pregnancy. A small number of observational studies have hinted at a possible connection, but they do not prove causation. They simply highlight patterns that may be influenced by many other factors."
Rane emphasized that paracetamol remains one of the most trusted and widely used medications during pregnancy, largely because alternatives carry greater risks. "Its record of safety stretches across generations and continents," he noted. He also pointed out the challenge researchers face in separating the effect of the drug from the reasons it is taken: "Pregnant women may use paracetamol to treat fever, infection or significant pain. Those conditions alone can affect pregnancy outcomes and child development. That is why large reviews and health authorities consistently advise that paracetamol, used in moderation and only when needed, remains the safest option available."
Alarmist claims, Rane warned, may actually do more harm than good. "The greater danger lies not in the careful use of Tylenol but in the fear that surrounds it. If expectant mothers are discouraged from treating fever or severe pain, both mother and baby may face real harm. Uncontrolled fever has been linked to preterm labour, birth complications and long-term developmental risks." He concluded, "Tylenol, taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time, is safe in pregnancy. Alarmist claims risk doing more damage than the medicine itself."
For families already navigating the challenges of an autism diagnosis, the president’s remarks have been particularly painful. Tanya Forster, a psychologist and CEO of the Macquarie Health Collective—and mother of an autistic child—told HELLO!, "As a psychologist and also as a mum of a little boy with autism, I find Donald Trump’s claims about paracetamol and autism pretty mind blowing. Research has not demonstrated a singular cause for autism. It’s a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition with a strong genetic basis, often running in families or associated with broader genetic conditions. To suggest that one over-the-counter pain reliever is responsible is far too simplistic and not supported by credible large-scale studies."
Forster also addressed the emotional toll such statements can have on parents: "What worries me most about these kinds of statements is the damage they do to families. Parents of autistic children already feel enormous pressure and guilt. To imply that they ‘caused’ their child’s autism because they took Panadol is not just wrong, it’s incredibly unfair."
The rise in autism diagnoses, Forster explained, is not evidence of an "epidemic" but rather a sign of progress. "What we’re really seeing is the result of more awareness, less stigma, and better access to assessment. More children being diagnosed earlier is actually a good thing. It means they can access support sooner, and we know early intervention changes lives."
In the face of public panic and misinformation, both Forster and Rane urge parents to rely on evidence-based advice and to consult their healthcare providers. "If you have pain or fever in pregnancy, please seek treatment," Rane advised. "What matters most is creating a world where autistic children are understood, accepted, and supported to thrive," Forster added. "We should be focusing on supporting families and creating a more inclusive society, not fuelling fear with unfounded claims."
As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: medical experts and advocates are united in their call for calm, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to science—reminding the public that, when it comes to the health of mothers and children, facts and empathy must always come first.
